Radio Frequency (RF)/Spectrum Engineer Job at Leidos in Washington

Overview

Join to apply for the Radio Frequency (RF)/Spectrum Engineer role at Leidos.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise in RF engineering and spectrum management across areas such as Land Mobile Radio (LMR), Air-to-Ground (A/G) communications, Aviation Surveillance (e.g., secondary surveillance radar, ADS-B, multi-lateration), NAVAIDs, Microwave links, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Counter-UAS, Link-16/JTIDS/MIDS, and related interfaces.
• Engineer and coordinate frequency assignments to avoid RF interference and ensure system compatibility across the National Air Space (NAS).
• Conduct Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and interference assessments for new or modified frequency assignments.
• Detect and analyze Link-16 and Counter-UAS impacts on the NAS.
• Ensure compliance with NTIA Redbook, FAA policies, and federal spectrum regulations; review, correct, and update frequency assignments in accordance with NTIA.
• Review and validate frequency assignment data and evaluate system compatibility.
• Prepare engineering analyses, coordination summaries, safety cases, and technical reports.
• Utilize RF coverage simulation tools, such as MATLAB, and work with FAA stakeholders and regulatory/technical teams to coordinate spectrum usage and resolve issues.
• Communicate technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences; participate in cross-functional engineering and policy working groups related to spectrum management.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field, or completion of Spectrum Management training and/or related military experience/classification (e.g., AFSC 3D1X4, MOS 25E). Additional years of professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• 3+ years of prior relevant experience in one or more of the following: RF Engineering, RF Interference Detection, Frequency Coordination and Management, Telecommunications Systems, Spectrum Coordination and Management.
• Experience with one or more of the following: LMR, Aviation Surveillance (ADS-B, multi-lateration), A/G Communications, NAVAIDs, Microwave Links, Link-16/JTIDS/MIDS, Counter-UAS, UAS, UAM, AAM, NAS Systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Familiarity with frequency assignment principles, RF propagation, and interference mitigation; ability to learn specialized tools and databases used for frequency management and analysis.
• Must be a US citizen with an ACTIVE security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with frequency assignment principles, RF propagation, and interference mitigation.
• Familiarity with tools used for frequency impact analysis, interference prediction, or electromagnetic compatibility assessment.
• Exposure to RF propagation tools or geographic/spatial analysis tools used in spectrum planning.
• Ability to interpret technical data and apply mitigation best practices to resolve RF interference issues affecting aviation systems.
• Ability to perform Free-Space Path Loss (FSPL) calculations, Link Budgets, and dBW/dBm/Watt conversions.
• Knowledge of spectrum management responsibilities within the NAS.
• Familiarity with MATLAB, Python, Power BI, or related software; familiarity with Spectrum XXI is a plus.

At Leidos, we don’t want someone who "fits the mold"—we want someone who melts it down and builds something better. This is a role for the restless, the over-caffeinated, the ones who ask, “what’s next?” before the dust settles on “what’s now.”

If you’re already scheming step 20 while everyone else is still debating step 2… good. You’ll fit right in.